Germany
The Marburger Bund doctors' union will resume negotiations with the regional government employers over a new collective agreement covering 22,000 doctors in university clinics. The most recent demonstration on 6 September in Stuttgart involved 5,000 doctors.
Read more at > Marburger Bund
The solidly supported two-day strike by around 8000 local government workers in Glasgow was successful in getting the council back to the negotiating table. The strike was over the council's failure to deal with longstanding demands for equal pay for a wide range of low-paid women workers in care, catering, cleaning, school support and other services. The strike on 23-24 October was called by the GMB and UNISON trade unions and UNISON now reports that initial talks with the council have been positive and constructive. EPSU, PSI and many affiliates sent messages of support.
Unions and the government have returned to the negotiating table after a series of actions by civil servants showed the strength of feeling among workers for a decent pay rise. The government had offered a pay rise of 7% over three years, below the unions' target of 3.5% over one year. The agreement covering 118000 civil servants expired in December 2017.
The FNV Abvakabo public service union and other unions in the municipal sector have been exploring with the employers the possibility of resuming collective bargaining in the new year. The last agreement expired in June 2011 and the unions have been organizing protest actions over several months to keep the pressure on the employers. The central issue for the trade unions is job security. Read more at > FNV Abvakabo (NL)
